Waking up to the Transfiguration

Hello everyone.

Today I will continue with my exegesis of Luke 9.  In my most recent post, Jesus has talked about what it means to truly follow him.  Now, about a week later, Jesus takes his three closest disciples, Peter, James and John and goes up on a mountain to pray.  

We know that the disciples were constantly arguing over which of them was the greatest.  I’m sure that these three felt that they had a leg up on this argument, since they were the ones that Jesus took with him for all of the best stuff.  These were the same three that had witnessed the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead.  Now they will be allowed to see the Transfiguration. 

As Jesus prayed, something came over him and he shined.  His face changed and his clothing shined like lightning. Ἐξαστράπτων (exastraptone) can be translated as 'shining like lightning.'  Biblehub.com translates the word as ‘became dazzling.’ Jesus dazzled. 

Two men appeared.  Somehow the apostles were recognizable them as Moses and Elijah, two of the all-time greats of the Old Testament. These two men represent a significant portion of the Old Testament.  Moses representing the Law and Elijah representing the Prophets. 

They have appeared and are talking with Jesus.  For Jesus to be seen with such heroes and luminaries of the Old Testament, it had to be quite a big deal for the three apostles.  What they did not realize yet, was that Jesus was greater than either of these two great men, and in fact, they were fortunate to be talking to Jesus.  In our modern vernacular, niether Moses nor Elijah is the GOAT, Jesus is.

Luke gives some details about the conversation.  Moses, Elijah and Jesus were talking about Jesus’ departure and all of the things that Jesus was going to fulfill in Jerusalem.  In other words, this was a conversation that was primarily about Jesus' upcoming crucifixion. It is difficult to know how much of the conversation Peter, James and John overheard.  It is likely that even what they may have heard, they didn’t really understand, since Jesus had already been talking about his death and they didn't really grasp what he was talking about. 

It must have been tiring to be with Jesus. Like we will see later in Gethsemane, Peter, James and John were sleeping.  They woke up to the sight of Jesus standing, talking with Moses and Elijah. 

Peter, undoubtedly impressed, but not knowing what to say, blurts out, “Let’s build three shrines, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.  Peter thinks that he is complimenting Jesus, by placing him on the same level as Moses and Elijah.  Jesus however is not complemented by this, since he is greater than they are.  Luke says that Peter "but he didn’t realize what he was saying."  In other words, Peter speaks, while basically not knowing what he was talking about.  

The four of them then get enveloped in a cloud and a voice comes from the heavens saying, “This is my son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him.” This is the second time that God’s voice has spoken from Heaven, declaring Jesus to be His son.  (He does so in Luke 3, right after being baptized by John.) It is a terrifying experience for the three apostles. 

God’s message here is important.  Was it said in response to Peter’s statement equating Jesus with the two heroes of the Old Testament? First, “This is my son.”  It is not just Jesus claiming to be the son of God.  God is claiming Jesus as his son. Second, “whom I have chosen.”  Jesus has been chosen by God for a specific purpose.  To redeem humanity. Finally, “Listen to him.” Moses and Elijah were great men, but they were not on the level of Jesus.  The Law and the Prophets served their purpose, but Jesus is greater than Moses and Elijah.  Jesus is bringing a new paradigm to our relationship with God.  So now, we must listen to Jesus, as his way will be greater than the way of the Law and Prophets. There is an allusion to Deut. 18:15 here: “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.” 

The voice from Heaven that spoke in Luke 3, directed His comments to Jesus.  This time the statement is directed at a different audience, his followers, telling them that Jesus is the greatest, and that they must do as he days.  Afterwards, the apostles were afraid to talk about what they had seen.  Who would have believed their story, anyway ? 

Tom